A device for extracting an interstitial fluid sample from the skin of a mammal subject is disclosed. The device comprises at least one micro-needle comprising a tip portion configured to be inserted into the skin of the mammal subject, and a passage configured to transport the interstitial fluid from the skin to a retaining material arranged in a channel of a body of the device. The retaining material is fluidically connected to the passage and configured to absorb and store the interstitial fluid sample transported by the passage. A holder configured to receive such a device is also disclosed.

The present disclosure generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes an interface that facilitates piercing of skin and/or withdrawal of fluid from the skin. The skin may be subjected to vacuum from a vacuum source.

An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

A collection container for biological samples is described. In one embodiment, the collection container includes a receptacle and a lid with a sampling port. The sampling port is coupled to an aspiration tube and allows access to the contents of the receptacle. A needle-free fitting allows a mating device to be coupled to the sampling port. A valve automatically closes to prevent the sample from escaping through the sampling port when a mating device is not coupled.

A method of using an electrochemical device includes at least first and second electrodes; a chamber for receiving a fluid sample and defining a volume partially bounded by a first portion of the first electrode and a second portion of the second electrode, the first portion having a first characteristic for influencing an electrochemical reaction at the first portion, the second portion having a second characteristic for influencing an electrochemical reaction at the second portion, the first and second characteristics having a predetermined relationship. The method also includes receiving a fluid sample in the chamber; measuring first and second electrical outputs at least one of the first and second electrodes; and determining whether the first and second electrical outputs are related according to the predetermined relationship.

The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering and/or recovering materials to and/or from a tissue site in the body, the catheter comprising one or more macroporous regions adapted to selectively deliver molecules and/or recover cells from the tissue site, based on one or more physical-chemical-biological characteristics. The macroporous region can be provided in the form of a helical hollow wires, and can be adapted to both recover cells from the tissue site (e.g., bacterial or other cells present in interstitial fluid) and optionally to permit the infusion of medicament to the site, under corresponding conditions.

The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for just in time mixing of a solid or powdered formulation and its subsequent delivery to a biological body. In some embodiments, a powdered formulation is maintained in a first chamber of a plurality of chambers. A plurality of electromagnetic actuators are in communication with the plurality of chambers. The actuators, when activated, generate a pressure within at least the first chamber. The pressure results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of a noninvasive and localized brain liquid biopsy using focused ultrasound. Briefly, therefore, the present disclosure is directed to methods and systems to identify brain lesion or tumor characteristics without the need for a solid brain biopsy.

Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a^ device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.

The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.